China vs Russia: Yearly number of objects launched into outer space
China
374
in 2025
Russia
89
in 2025
China rank
2nd
Russia rank
3rd
Yearly number of objects launched into outer space over time
- China
- Russia
How they compare
China currently reports 374 against 89 in Russia, a difference of 285.
That makes China's figure about 4.2 times Russia's.
The two have swapped places 3 times across 50 shared years of data; in 1970 it was Russia ahead.
China ranks 2nd and Russia ranks 3rd of 50 countries.
Across the 6 decades both report, China averaged higher in 2 and Russia in 4.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | Russia | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.5 | 105.33 | 103.83 | Russia |
| 1980s | 2.12 | 116.5 | 114.38 | Russia |
| 1990s | 4.6 | 51.4 | 46.8 | Russia |
| 2000s | 8.4 | 21.7 | 13.3 | Russia |
| 2010s | 38.8 | 25.4 | 13.4 | China |
| 2020s | 202.5 | 57.83 | 144.67 | China |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher yearly number of objects launched into outer space, China or Russia?
- China, at 374 against 89 in Russia as of 2025.
- What is the difference in yearly number of objects launched into outer space between China and Russia?
- 285, with China ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and Russia?
- 50 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2025.
- How do China and Russia rank globally for yearly number of objects launched into outer space?
- China ranks 2nd and Russia ranks 3rd of 50 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Yearly number of objects launched into outer space. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.